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SQUAW 

OF 

BEAR CLAW 

Dramatic Indian Play in One Act for 3m. If. 

Founded on *'l4^asula/' monologue for a woman, 
by the same author 

BY 

EVANGELINE M. LENT 



"Greater love hath no man than this, that 
a man lay down his life for his friends/' 

New Testament. 




PRICE, 25 CENTS. 



EDGAR S. WERNER & COMPANY 
NEW YORK 

Copyright, IDOfl, by Edgar S. Werner 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 



C-. I 3 



Tt;t 



A- 



NOTE ^.^ l^^l 

THIS play deals with Indian conditions in the 19th Century, 
when the Indian stood near the threshold of civilization, 
when he was succumbing to White-man influence, yet 
clinging with wonderful childlike loyalty to his own methods of 
life and traditions. 

The sketch is based on two radical facts, viz., the Indian's ability 
to practice and appreciate friendship, and his unwavering faith in 
the Higher Powers which govern nature and control his destiny. 

The Indian religion has been handed down orally from unknown 
ancestors, who inhabited the deserts and mountains of North 
America,— eons, perhaps, before the advent of the Clifif-Dwellers. 
The Indian is a pantheist. He worships all nature. He frequently 
makes sacrifices to certain elements, animals, and objects, to 
appease their wrath and thereby protect from disaster himself, his 
land, and his crops. To other elements, animals and objects, he 
makes known his needs; and, as self-imposed payment for their 
favor, surrenders unbegrudgingly his few treasures and posses- 
sions. These sacrifices are followed by absolute faith that his 
prayer will be answered. 

Every act in a devout Indian's life (and the majority of Indians 
were devout before the advent of White-man fire-water and graft) 
was a religious symbol. 

The United States sends to every reservation a man called an 
Agent to act as counselor for the Indians. The Government has 
often been unfortunate in these ap^pbintments. 

The White Man and his Red** "Brother are grateful to those 
men who have filled the office of Indian Agent worthily. 



(g) SEP // 1909 

^li>N« r68i6 
SEP 17 t9(W 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 



CHARACTERS. 

Horace Knox, Agent of an Indian Reservation. 
Bear Claw, Arizona Indian. 
Evening Star, Indian runner. 
Wasula, Squaw of Bear Claw. 

description of characters and costumes. 

Horace Knox : ^Man of medium size, age about forty ; light 
brown hair and beard; shrewd, egotistical, uncouth. His 
manner toward Indians throughout play is indifferent, 
insolent. He wears rough riding trousers, flannel shirt, 
heavy leather belt, holster, moccasins; large silver ring, 
containing turquoise. 

Bear Claw : Large, thick-set Indian, age about fifty ; black hair, 
parted and worn in two short braids. His eye is lynx-like. 
His manner is formidable, suspicious ; his voice deep-toned, 
severe. He wears ill-fitting, ankle-length irousers, calico 
blouse worn outside of trousers, over this a cloth waist- 
coat. Around head and across forehead is tied a calico 
handkerchief, twisted in a long strip. A round felt hat. 
Strings of beads and buffalo teeth around neck. Moccasins. 
He carries an old-fashioned pistol. Over costume he wears 
a blanket. 

Evening Star : A lithe young Indian of poetic type ; black hair, 
hanging loosely about shoulders. Tied around head and 
across forehead is a rattlesnake skin. He wears loose-fitting 

[3] 



4 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

trousers which do not reach ankles, a loose shirt, unfastened 
at throat. No hose; moccasins, blanket. 

Wasula : Young Indian matron ; unsophisticated, loyal. In 
manner she occasionally reveals traces of Mexican fore- 
fathers. She wears an ankle-length skirt of dark-colored 
woolen cloth or calico. Loose-fitting waist of same material, 
preferably of different pattern, worn outside of skirt. Moc- 
casins. A necklace of Mexican design around neck, and 
several strings of beads. A silver bracelet and silver ring, 
of Indian workmanship, containing matrix turquoises. 
Black hair can be worn in knot at back of head as in picture, 
or in two braids. Over costume she wears a Navajo 
blanket. 

Avoid use of "Stage-Indian" costumes. 

Time : Midnight. 

Scene: Interior of Indian- Agent's house in Sonthzvest of the 
United States. Room is roughly, scantily, furnished. 
There are doors. Center Flat and Right I. Windoivs, Right 
Flat and Left I. Moonlight is seen outside. A common 
wooden table, diagonally across Left Center. On table are 
scattered writing materials, ledgers, official letters, etc.; 
a lighted kerosene lamp, Left end; whisky-flask, and pistol, 
Right end. A couch covered, zvith Navajo blanket, up 
Right corner of stage; trunk, up Left corner; Chairs, above 
table and up Right Center; Navajo blanket on floor, Right 
Center; pair of riding boots under table; Indian blankets 
and baskets are hung on walls. A shelf. Right II., on zvhich 
are a small mirror, comb and brush, tobacco-jar, and old- 
fashioned striking clock. The occasional introduction of 
appropriate music is advised. 

At rise of curtain, Knox is discovered tilting back in 
chair, feet on table. He is smoking a long-stemmed 
Indian-pipe, reading a newspaper. Clock strikes twelve. 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 5 

He looks tozvard shelf. Right, throws dozvn newspaper; 
busines'^ with writing materials. Sound is heard as of 
some one trying to unlatch door. He listens, rises, goes to 
door. Right, listens, returns to table. Pauses. A gentle 
knock is heard, folloz^^'cd by several louder knocks. 



Wasula. 
[Speaking off. She speaks, as she does throughout the play, in 
semimonotone, pronouncing the words syllable by syllable, slurring 

over final consonants.] Open door! Open door ! 

Open door ! 

[With calm deliberation Knox lays pipe on table, takes pistol, 
goes up Center. Opens door.] 

Knox. 
[With impatience.] What you want here this time of night? 

Wasula. 
[She has slipped in and leans against zvall R. of d*oor. She 
attempts to conceal her fatigue and struggle for breath. She is 
enveloped in a blanket; otdy her eyes, nose and mouth are visible.'\ 

Knox. 
[Severely.] I've told you Indians to quit prowHng around 
nights. I won't have it. Understand? 

Wasula. 
[Ignoring his brusqueness.] You, Mr. (Meest) Horace Knox? 

Knox. 
That's me. 

Wasula, 
Agent, Reservation? 

Knox. 
Sure, and I'm boss. Understand? 

Wasula. 
Me, Wasula, Squaw Bear Claw. 



6 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

Knox. 
[Irritably. Goes D. to table.] Well, what of it? 

Wasula. 
[Goes sloivly D. C] Ride long trail, black night. Come tell 
Mr. Knox, no send prison Evening Star. 

Knox. 
[Sarcastically.] That so? Expect me to let off that scalliwag 
Indian horse-thief? [Replaces pistol on table.] 

Wasula. 
[Indignantly.] Evening Star no horse-thief! 

Knox. 
Ain't he? He rode down here last night on Joe Carter's prize 
pony. 

Wasula. 
[Loudly, decisively.] No ! Wasula say, no ! Evening Star no 
steal White-man pony. 

Knox. 

Go ^long home. I've got no time to listen to d n Indian lies. 

Wasula. 
[Haughtily.] You listen Wasula, granddaughter Chief Big 
Knife, granddaughter Mexico woman. You listen Wasula, Squaw 
Bear Claw. 

Knox. 
[Business with pipe, blows smoke insolently.] Humph ! 

Wasula. 
Evening Star Wasula friend. When she little child he bring 
white rabbit skin. She big little child, bring wolf-tooth. One day 
kill rattlesnake, save life Wasula. Last night Evening Star save 
life Wasula papoose. [Blanket slips from head.] 

Knox. 
What the devil are you talking about? 

Wasula. 
[Hopelessly.} Me speak bad English. [Impulsively.] Mr. 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 7 

Knox, try understand ! Papoose much sick. Medicine Man much 
far, hunt cattle. Bear Claw no near home-lodge, go trader's lodge, 

trade basket Wasula alone Black night 

Storm Spirit on war-path Wasula pray Great Mystery no 

make papoose dead Wasula pray Wasula pray. 

Knox. 
[Sneers. Sits behind table.] Ha! 

Wasula. 
[With ardor.'] Thunder Bird hear prayer. Open fire eye, 
mountain, mesa, lodge, all light ! Thunder Bird speak,— ''Wasula 
go lodge. Evening Star. Tell Evening Star ride much fast, Agent- 
man lodge, bring \Miite-man medicine." [Goes R.C. Reverently.] 
Wind Spirit take feet of Wasula, lodge Evening Star. Me say, 
"Papoose much sick. Thunder Bird tell Evening Star ride Agent- 
man lodge, bring medicine !" Evening star fall on face. 

He say, "No can obey Tlumder Bird. Me run. No ride, me no 

pony." Me say, "Thunder Bird say ride.'' He stand up, 

speak, ":\Iuch fast yellow pony, brown spot. White-man ranch. 
Wolf Canyon. Evening Star ride!'' ...... He take pepper, 

corn meal, run from lodge. 

Knox. 
Down to Joe Carter's and caught all the boys napping! 

Wasula. 

[Ignoring the interruption.] Wasula go home-lodge 

Much rain, much black Far down trail Evening Star 

give red pepper, corn meal, sing prayer, Spirit Father 

Wasula wait long night Storm Spirit go. Sun Spirit 

come, touch high mountain, touch mesa, touch papoose 

[Pauses. Knox ignores her. In distance there is heard ery of 

coyote.] Wasula look! Lodge door, stand Bear 

Claw. Bear Claw speak, "White-man medicine, saddle, pony." 

Knox. 
Curse that medicine ; got me up in the middle of the night. 



8 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

Wasula. 

[With exultation.] Spirit Father, hear prayer. Papoose eat 

medicine. Papoose no dead Wasula much happy. .... 

Wasula grind corn Wasula sing prayer. [Squats on 

floor R. C; becomes absorbed in remembrance of scene zvhich she 
describes. When speaking for Bear Claw she assumes critical, 
suspicious expression and uses deep, severe tone.] Bear Claw 

snow eye watch Wasula Mr. Knox have know Bear 

Claw? 

Knox. 
Know Bear Claw? Most cantankerous Indian on the Reserva- 
tion. 

Wasula. 

[Thoughtfully.'] . -. ... .. . Big, wild like buffalo Jealous 

like snake Me say, "Must give present, Thunder Bird. 

He tell how get medicine Wasula no can leave alone 

papoose Thunder Bird say Evening Star go 

[With affection and f^ratitude.] Evening Star soon come back." 

Bear Claw hold gun much hard. Speak cold like Winter 

Storm Spirit. He say, ''Evening Star no come back 

Steal pony Agent-man lock in room, Agent-man lodge. 

* . . . . To-rnorrow send over mountain, White-man prison." 

Knox. 
That's straight. 

Wasula. 
[Rises to her knees; blanket slips off to her waist. Appalled.] 
Over mountain, prison! 

Knox. 
[Uiisynipathetically.] To the Fort prison, and good riddance. 
He almost busted my door in last night. 

Wasula. 
[Affectionately.] Evening Star come ask medicine, Wasula 
papoose. 



SQUAW OF DEAR CLAW. 9 

Knox. 

[Vindictively.] Then out of the night popped Bear Claw, 
recognized the yellow and brown pony, and let out a few blazed 
remarks about that Indian runner. 

Wasula. 

[Rises C] Me know ! Bear Claw tell Wasula what he tell 
Agent-man. 

Knox. 

[Maliciously. ] So, Evening Star steals White-men's horses and 
Red-men's SQUAWS! 

Wasula. 

When Bear Claw say Evening Star thief, Wasula no more feel 
peace like Indian woman. Wasula much angry like Mexico 
grandmother. Me say, "Evening Star never thief. Evening Star 

much good friend. Obey Thunder Bird, save papoose." 

Bear Claw speak, "Bear Claw save papoose. Bear Claw bring 
medicine. Take yellow pony, brown spot. White-man ranch, Wolf 
Canyon. White Man much thank Bear Claw, give present, fire- 
water, fish-rod." Me say, "'How long Evening 

Star over mountain, prison ?'^ Bear Claw smoke pipe long. 

He speak, "Much years. White Man no love 

bad Indian." Bear Claw take fish-rod, go far on mesa. 

Wasula think much long time [Impetuously.'] Wasula 

make go prison ! Wasula make much years Evening Star no plant 
corn, no see Snake Dance, no run trail, lodge. Bear Claw ! 

Knox. 

[Rises. Goes R. to shelf, business refilling pipe.] Your fault! 
Bosh ! No one's fault but his own. 

Wasula. 
[With suppressed emotion.] Wasula tie eagle feather, blanket 
papoose, keep 'way Evil Spirit. Wasula catch pony, Bear Claw. 
Ride Mr. Knox lodge, ask free life Evening Star [Medi- 
tatively.] Then Wasula .... go ... . long .... journey, 
.... Land Great Mystery [Prophetically.] Bear Claw 



10 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

jealous like snake Follow footprint pony, kill 

Wasula. 

Knox. 
You'd better be starting for home if you expect to have your 
lord and master's breakfast ready on time. 

Wasula. 
\^Goes R. C] Where, Evening Star? 

Knox. 
[With pipe indicates door, R. Wasula starts toivard R.; he 
waves her back-l Locked. 

Wasula. 
[Pleadingly.] Mr. Knox, let go Evening Star to his people! 
Evening Star die far from Red Brother ! Die far from Sun Spirit. 
Evening Star, Wasula brave friend ! 

Knox. 
[LaugJis derisively.] Ha! Ha! 

Wasula. 
[With innocent surprise.] Why you laugh? 

Knox. 

Friend? [Goes R. of her.] Fiddlesticks! [Goes to table.] 
That long-legged Indian in there is your lover. 

Wasula. 
[Aghast.] Wasula lover? 

Knox. 
That's it. Friendship, gratitude, be blowed ! You've sneaked 
out in the night to Evening Star. 

Wasula. 

No! 

Knox. 
If I let him out nov^r you'd desert your husband and baby. 

Wasula. 
No! 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. \\ 

Knox. 
You'd skip with Evening Star. 

Wasula. 

[^Pauses.] Evening Star no Wasula lover When . . . 

Wasula . . . dead, . . . Mr. Knox . . . believe . . . Wasula 
. . . speak truth? 

Knox. 
[Sits at tabic, assorts certain papers into a pile. Impatientlw \ 
Go on home, now. Go 'long, — understand? Fm d n sleepy. 

WAvSULA. 

[Throws herself across table.] Open door! Give free life, 
Evening Star ! 

Knox. 
Get up. 

Wasula. 
Evening Star no mean steal pony. 

Knox. 
[Drags her from table.] Get up and get out! 

Wasula. 
[Leans against R. end of table.] No send prison Evening Star ! 

Knox. 
[Shouts.] Vm not the Government! [Less loudly.] And 
neither of us has got use for horse-thieves. Understand? 

Wasula. 
Go — ver — munt no give Mr. Knox power pardon Evening Star ? 

Knox. 
No! 

Wasula. 
[Goes R. Pauses. With inspiration.] Missionary tell Wasula 

White-man Great Spirit much power, White-man ("ireat 

Spirit more big than Go — ver — munt. [Stands C, arms uplifted. 
Prayerfully.'] Manitou, hear prayer, Wasula. Speak much loud 
voice, make listen White-man Great Spirit. Wasula pray free life. 



12 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

Evening Star. Wasula give present. What present White-man 
Great Spirit want? {Pauses. With disappointment.] He no 

answer Me speak bad English. [Pleadingly.'] Mr. 

Knox, speak message, good nice English. Say Wasula give big 
much present. What he want? 

Knox. 
[He scrutinises her from head to foot. His facial expression 
shozvs a malicious scheme dawning in his thought.] A sacrificial 
offering, eh? 

Wasula. 
What present he tell Wasula give? 

Knox. 
[He slozvly goes D. L., turns back to Wasula. He is deciding 
whether or not to carry out his scheme.] A sacrificial offering ! 

Wasula. 
[She watches him reverently for she believes him to be praying.] 
White-man Great Spirit hear prayer ? 

Knox. 
Yes. 

Wasula. 
Give power Mr. Knox no send prison Evening Star? 

Knox. 

Yes. 

Wasula. 
What present he want? 

Knox. 
[Pauses.] Your blanket. 

Wasula. 
[Removes blanket happily, puts it on floor D. C] Blanket? 
Blanket, Wasula father, present, Navajo chief. 

Knox. 
[Pauses.] Your bracelet. 

Wasula. 
[Repeats business.] Bracelet? Bracelet, turquoise, Arizona. 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 13 

Knox. 
[Pauses.] Your ring. 

WaSUIvA. 

[Repeats business.] Ring? Nice ring. Wasula mother. 

Knox. 
Your beads. 

Wasula. 
[Hesitates, prompted by fear.] Bead? /^//bead? 

Knox. 
The whole blamed lot. 

Wasula. 

[With trepidation.] Bear Claw give Bear Claw tell 

Wasula no never lose [Heroically adds beads to heap.] 

All bead. 

Knox. 
And that necklace. 

Wasula. 
[Aghast.] White-man Great Spirit tell Mr. Knox he want 

Wasula necklace? Necklace, Mexico grandmother, keep 

'way Evil Spirit. 

Knox. 
[Glances toward door R.] The necklace, or 

Wasula. 
[Adds necklace to heap.] Wasula give necklace. [Triumph- 
antly.] Now, White-man Great Spirit give power Mr. Knox, no 
send prison Evening Star? 

Knox. 
[Gruffly.] Yes. [Looks down at head with satanic satisfac- 
tion, slowly takes bunch of keys from pocket, selects key.] 

Wasula. 
[Goes L. C. Watches him with interest and child-like confi- 
dence.] Key? Key, open door ? 



14 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

Knox. 

[He glances dozvn at heap zvith satisfaction as he goes to door 
R. Is about to open door; stops.] Changed your mind about 
your stuff? 

Wasula. 
Wasula give, Wasula no take back. 

Knox. 
[Unlocking door, zvith insinuation.] Reckon when he gets out 
of here your friend is Hkely to have a score to settle with Bear 
Claw. [Exits.] 

Wasula. 

[With apprehension.] Bear Claw jealous 

like snake. 

Knox. 
[Off. Severely.] Hey there, get up ! Come out of that corner, 
you rascal. I'm going to let you go. Get out of here quick. 
Understand ? You're free ! 

Evening Star. 
[Pauses. He glides in from R. When he reaches C, discovers 
Wasula. They stare at each other several moments in silence. 
Wasula stands rigidly L. C. until after his exit. He starts U. C. 
Knox appears at door R., zvatches them with patronizing sus- 
picion.] 

Wasula. 
[Discovers Knox. Peremptorily.] No! 

Evening Star. 
[Stops, aivaits her command.] 

Wasula. 
[Points D. L.] Window. No, go home-lodge. 

Evening Star. 
[Obediently goes L.] 

Wasula. 

Go desert Wasula dead, Evening Star come 

back. 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 15 

Evening Star. 
[Stares at her a moment, then agilely jumps out of zvindow. 
WasuIvA does not move.'] 

Knox. 
[Goes to mantle, puts down pipe. Turns an occasional glance 
toii'ard her. Winds clock.] Well, Mrs. Bear Claw, about time 
we said Good Night, eh? 

Wasula. 
[Holding position. As if taking a sacred vozv.] Wasula, Mr. 
Knox friend! 

Knox. 
[Watches her keenly. Goes R. of her. Puts his hand on her 
shoulder. '\ Look here [Is about to embrace her.] 

Wasula. 
[She looks at him, her face lighted by purity, gratitude, exulta- 
tion.] Mr. Knox much good White Man. 

Knox. 
[He is cozved by her look and zvords. Shivers, goes L., closes 
zvindozv.] Brrr-rrr-rr ! Night air's blame snappy. [He stands 
at zvindozv looking out. Wasula stands over heap. Bear Claw 
is seen peering in through zvindozv R. F. Hold picture several 
seconds.] 

Wasula. 
[Looking dozvn at heap.] Bear Claw big wild like buffalo. 
[Goes U. C., opens door C. F. Bear Claw stands on threshold.] 
BEAR CLAW ! 

Bear Claw. 
[Threateningly.] Why Squaw Bear Claw come White-man 

lodge, night? [Pauses. Knox goes below table, takes 

pile of official papers. Bear Claw takes fezv steps into room. 
Wasula R. of door.] Why Squaw Bear Claw come Mr. Knox 
lodge, night? 



16 SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 

Wasula. 
[M^ith sudden inspiration.] Medicine! Sick papoose, more 
medicine. 

Bear Claw. 
Medicine, sick papoose, much big lie. Wasula come speak Eve- 
ning Star. 

Wasula. 
[Goes R. C; pleadingly.] Mr. Knox, say Beai Claw, Evening 
Star no in lolge. 

Knox. 
[Going R.; condescendingly.] That's right. If you don't be- 
lieve it, come look for yourself. [B^'its R. Takes papers.] 

Wasula. 
Mr. Knox speak truth. [Submissively.] Wasula follow Bear 
Claw, home-lodge. 

Bear Claw. 
[Discovers heap. With angry deliberation goes D. C. Speaks 
in English, in loud tone, zvith intent to be heard in adjoining 
room.] Why Squaw Bear Claw go 'way White-man lodge, no 
take blanket, bead, ring, bracelet? [She remains silent.- He 
speaks passionately.] Bear Claw know ! Wasula bad squaw ! 
Wasula give present Mr. Knox ! 

Wasula. 
[Vehemently.] Wasula no give present Mr. Knox. 

Bear Claw. 
[Incredulously.] Who for blanket, bead, bracelet, ring, neck- 
lace? 

Wasula. 
[Pauses. Stoically.] No tell! Me no tell! 

Bear Claw. 
[Quickly takes out pistol, points toward R., starts to cross 
stage.] 

Wasula. 
[She intercepts him, extends her arms horizontally.] No shoot 



SQUAW OF BEAR CLAW. 



17 



Mr. Knox! Wasiila obey. Wasula, Squaw Bear Claw speak. 
[With an heroic effort.] Wasnla give blanket, bead, bracelet, ring, 
necklace, White-man Great Spirit, for free life. Evening Star. 

Bear Claw. 
\^Pires pistol at her heart.] 

Wasula. 

\_Stag[^crs backward. Speaks falterijigly.] Bear Claw 

kill! 

Bear Claw. 

[Grunts zvith satisfaction. Starts to take articles on heap.] 
Humph ! 

Wasula. 

[Staggers to heap, extends her a^ms over it protectingly.] NO 

TOUCH ! No take blanket, necklace ; 

Wasula give present, [drops on heap] 

White Man Great Spirit. [Look of resignation and peace 

passes over her face as she dies. Bear Claw stands zvith folded 
arms looking down at Wasula.] 

[curtain.] 




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The Joll y Ghost" 



SONG, PANTOMIME 

AND DANCE FOR 

PARLOR. PLATFORM, 

STAGE 

BRIGHT AND UNIQUE 

JOLLY AND DAINTY 




Words and Pantomime 
by 

EVANGELINE M.LENT 



Music 
by 

FRANCES M. SLATER 



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Solos, Duets and Dance for 1 Ghost (supposedly a man) and 
I Girl. Words and Music and full Pantomimic Directions given 

ALSO. TEN FLLL-riOLRE HALF-TONE ILLLSTRATIONS 
AND LNIQLE COVER IN TWO COLORS 

Eight pages and cover, 1 0V2xl 3V2 in. in size, printed on enameled paper 



ADDRESS THE PUBUSHERS 

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